Watching my mother getting beat up on a regular basis remains the most profound experience that has influenced my life. The cycle of abuse is something my siblings and I got to know. The family did not talk about the beatings, tension and fear. We eventually confronted my Dad. He responded by brutally beating my mother again.

I tried to help my Mom. I could do little but run for the police. When I returned, Dad was waiting. I do not remember what happened. The results were apparent.

My father was a different man when not drinking. He had some demons he never got around to dealing with.

These articles tell the tale:

http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/prin...printable=true
http://helpguide.org/mental/domestic...es_effects.htm
http://www.uthealthleader.org/archiv...epingenemy.htm

Please, those who see themselves in the articles, make the call to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, http://www.thehotline.org/, or local safe shelters, http://www.womenshelters.org/, to get to safety. Your children will thank you.